Ontario Government Keeping People and Goods Moving

Province has nominated over $480 million in infrastructure projects across Ontario that will make travel safer and faster

TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting municipalities and getting people moving through smart investments in public transit and transportation infrastructure throughout the province.

A total of 350 projects have been nominated to the federal government under both the Rural and Northern and Public Transit infrastructure streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a 10-year, $30-billion fund that provides support to help municipalities repair or build critical infrastructure.

"Ontario is keeping its promise to make sure people can get where they need to go in a safe and efficient way," said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. "Infrastructure investments help businesses to move goods and deliver their services more broadly and efficiently. And they create jobs, helping to make Ontario open for business."

Road, bridge, air and marine infrastructure investments nominated to the federal government by Ontario is over $115 million in provincial funding. These include investments to enable critical repair or replacement of roads or sidewalks in small towns, replacement of critical bridges to let emergency vehicles get people to safety faster, or the addition of roundabouts to improve traffic flow.

"Our investments will make it easier to get to work, to the hospital, to a store, or safely home to their loved ones," said Minister Scott.

Not counting major investments in the GTHA, Public Transit infrastructure projects nominated by Ontario so far total up to $365 million in provincial funding. Such investments could include building new bus maintenance facilities or the buying of new buses, to allow for transit expansion.

"This government is committed to building infrastructure that makes life better for people across Ontario," said Minister Scott. "Better public transit infrastructure creates stronger communities and frees up more time for students to pursue their education and find work, which helps make Ontario open for business."

The 350 projects that have been sent to the federal government for final funding approval are being reviewed for eligibility under the ICIP. Some projects have already received federal approval to begin.

Quick Facts

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program, cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent or about $10.2 billion spread across four streams: 1. Rural and Northern, 2. Public Transit, 3. Green, 4. Community, Culture and Recreation.

Ontario has nominated 201 transit projects outside the GTHA and five transit projects for the City of Toronto and York Region, as well as 144 road, bridge, air and marine infrastructure projects under the Rural and Northern stream.

The Community, Culture and Recreation stream will be opening on September 3 for 10 weeks. The Green stream will be launching later in the year.